📷 Another one of my pictures: This photograph was taken by Medium69 (William Crochot) and released under the license…, CC BY-SA 4.0Marais Poitevin at Coulon
Coulon, France
A network of green canals shaded by ash and poplar trees, explored in flat-bottomed boats pushed by a pole. The quiet punt trips run from spring to autumn and give a very different France from the coast nearby.
According to the Routard guide, the Marais Poitevin is the second-largest wetland in France and spreads across the départements of Deux-Sèvres, Vendée and Charente-Maritime. Its best-known part is called the "Venise verte", the Green Venice, and Coulon is regarded as its main village. A branching network of canals, known as "conches" and "rigoles", is lined with pollarded ash and poplar trees that form dense green tunnels.
You can explore the waterways in flat-bottomed boats, the "barques", which are propelled and steered with a long pole, the "pigouille". Several landing stages ("embarcadères") serve as starting points for guided trips or for punting yourself. The waterways are suited to visits from spring to autumn. If you stay longer, you will find more waterside villages, including Arçais, La Garette and Damvix.
- Nearest town
- Coulon, France
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 46.3112, -0.5906
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Aire de l'AutremontMotorhome stopover1 km from Marais Poitevin at Coulon · 90 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping de la Venise VerteCampsite2 km from Marais Poitevin at CoulonTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Les Prairies de PacouinayCampsite9 km from Marais Poitevin at Coulon · 6 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Le Gué de la RivièreMotorhome stopover14 km from Marais Poitevin at Coulon · 45 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping-car Park Coulonges-sur-l'AutizeMotorhome stopover19 km from Marais Poitevin at Coulon · 21 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Aire de camping-car de PrahecqMotorhome stopover20 km from Marais Poitevin at Coulon · 16 pitchesMotorhomesDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-FiFree
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Marais Poitevin at Coulon?
Marais Poitevin at Coulon is in Coulon, France, at GPS 46.3112, -0.5906. It is about 46 km from La Rochelle.
Can you camp near Marais Poitevin at Coulon?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping l’Îlot du Chail, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 46 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Marais Poitevin at Coulon?
Places worth a stop nearby: Île de Ré (61 km), Fontevraud Abbey (108 km), Royal Fortress of Chinon (114 km) and Château d’Ussé (124 km).
When is the best time to visit Marais Poitevin at Coulon?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)